Another book I read over the summer was The Lobbying Strategy Handbook, by Pat Libby.  Her practical and helpful book explains how nonprofits can and should lobby.  She and her team of writers explain the differences between lobbying and advocacy and how much nonprofits can spend on lobbying activities.  She provides ten common elements of a successful advocacy campaign. These elements include:

  1. Identify an issue
  2. Research the issue
  3. Create a fact sheet
  4. “Brand” the issue
  5. Map the possible supporters and detractors
  6. Form a coalition
  7. Develop educational materials
  8. Launch a media campaign
  9. Approach elected officials
  10. Monitor progress on the issue

Students enrolled in her Nonprofit Advocacy course provided context and real life case studies in the book.  I especially enjoyed reading about her students who passed a “Breaking the Tire Cycle” Bill to clean up the Tijuana River Valley.

Pat will be visiting the Johnson Center on Philanthropy on Wednesday, October 12th to speak at the Nonprofit Lobbying Symposium.